Dodge plans to revive Durango for 2011

Now that Jeep has rolled out its redesigned 2011 Grand Cherokee model, Dodge will introduce its own version, the 2011 Durango, early next year.

While the redesigned Durango will share its basic architecture with the new Grand Cherokee, there will be fundamental differences, including a third row of seating in the Durango that isn’t offered in the Jeep model.

The Durango will have its own unique exterior design, as well, along with interior appointments that differ from those of the Grand Cherokee.

This newest model revives the Durango line that was dropped after the 2009 model year (production actually ended in late 2008). It was discontinued in response to poor SUV sales in 2008 because of high gasoline prices, and Chrysler’s impending bankruptcy and bailout by the federal government.

Some analysts have said that Chrysler’s original plans coming out of bankruptcy were for its Dodge brand to be limited to minivans and performance cars such as the Charger and Challenger; Jeep to produce sport utility vehicles; Chrysler to produce cars and minivans; and the separate Ram brand to feature only trucks.

It’s surprising, then, that Chrysler has revived the Durango line under the Dodge name. But this time it’s a crossover utility vehicle, not a truck-based true SUV as it was in its first two generations – using the Dodge Dakota midsize pickup chassis.

Dodge introduced the Durango for 1998, which was its best sales year ever with nearly 190,000 sold. It was redesigned on the new Dakota chassis for 2004, and received a partial makeover for 2007 while remaining on the same chassis. In its last year, 2009, only about 33,500 were sold.

Chrysler hopes to reverse that with the new crossover model, which continues with the possibility of eight-passenger seating, but has a combined body and chassis – called a unibody – rather than the previous two generations’ design of a body mounted on a truck frame.

Under the hood will be the same engine and transmission choices offered in the Grand Cherokee – either a V-6 or V-8 engine, a Mercedes-Benz derived five-speed automatic transmission, and two- or four-wheel drive.

The redesigned Durango, which goes into production on the same assembly line in Detroit as the Grand Cherokee in early November, will begin arriving at dealerships in January.

While the unibody arrangement officially makes the new Durango a crossover, it also will be a capable off-road sport utility, available with four-wheel drive in all models.

The base engine is the standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 from the Grand Cherokee, rated at 290 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque.

Fuel-economy ratings are 16 mpg city/23 highway for the two-wheel-drive V-6 models, and 16/22 with four-wheel drive. That gives the two-wheel drive model a range of more than 500 miles on a tank of gasoline.

Optional is the same 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 from the Grand Cherokee, with 360 horsepower and 390 foot-pounds of torque. It comes with a fuel-saving multi-displacement system that cuts it down to four cylinders during highway cruising. Both of the engines have variable-valve timing, which helps increase efficiency and power at the same time.

Trailers will be no problem with the Durango, especially the V-8 version, which will come with standard trailer-sway control. It will be able to pull trailers weighing up to 7,400 pounds, while the V-6 can tow up to 6,200 pounds.

Inside, the new Durango is quite refined, using “luxurious interior materials and thoughtful touches” throughout, Dodge says. It’s designed for family hauling, so it’s well appointed, comfortable and available with a host of features to make it great for traveling – especially with kids.

There are 45 safety and security features in the new Durango, Chrysler says. They include front seat-mounted side air bags; roof-mounted side-curtain air bags for all three rows; active head restraints; antilock brakes; and electronic stability control.

The Durango will be slightly longer than the Grand Cherokee to accommodate the third row of seating. Jeep doesn’t offer this in the Grand Cherokee because the Jeep Commander is available with eight-passenger seating.

Although Chrysler hasn’t released information about the Durango’s four-wheel drive, it’s probably going to use some of the choices available in the Grand Cherokee.

In that vehicle, the available four-wheel-drive systems are the Quadra-Trac, Quadra-Trac II and the top-of-the-line Quadra-Drive II with electronic limited-slip differential, which is offered only with the V-8 engine. The Quadra-Drive and Quadra-Trac II systems include a two-speed transfer case with low-range gearing for serious off-road driving. The base Quadra-Trac system does not have this feature.

A power rear liftgate, which can be raised as one piece by the touch of a button, also should be available.

Also expected to be available is the optional air suspension system from the Grand Cherokee, which can raise the vehicle from the 4.5-inch park mode to as high as 11.1 inches for off-road obstacle clearance.

No prices have been announced yet, but the Grand Cherokee ranges from $30,995 (including freight) to $42,995.

G. Chambers Williams III has been automotive columnist for the Express-News since 2000. Contact him at (210) 250-3236; chambers@express-news.net.